Magnetic lock closure device

Abstract

A magnetic lock closure device has a first part or magnetically attracting part and a second part or magnetically attracted part, the first part including an annular permanent magnet having a center bore, a first ferromagnetic member formed like a disk plate and attached to one polarity side of the permanent magnet and a nonmagnetic outer cover having a center bore and enclosing the permanent magnet and first ferromagnetic member, and the second part including a second ferromagnetic member formed like a disk plate and adapted to be removably attached to the other polarity side of the permanent magnet. The first and second ferromagnetic members have respective ferromagnetic rods at the center extending therefrom and adapted to meet each other through the center bore when the first and second parts are coupled together. The closure device further has a shape of the permanent magnet and outer cover for accepting the ferromagnetic rod on the second ferromagnetic member and guiding the same into the center bore, and wherein the shape includes a funnel-shaped portion having an outwardly expanded opening extending from the center bore, and a peripheral flat portion extending radially outwardly from said outwardly expanded opening. The second ferromagnetic member may be shaped like a dish having a center bore and adapted to match the shape of the funnel-shaped portion and wherein it has a ferromagnetic rod extending through the center bore of the second ferromagnetic member and secured thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A magnetic lock closure device which comprises: a magnetically attracting first part and a magnetically attracted second part,   said first part including an annular permanent magnet having opposite poles on opposite sides thereof and a center bore therethrough between said opposite sides, a first ferromagnetic member in the shape of a disk plate attached to one side of said permanent magnet and a nonmagnetic outer cover having a center opening and enclosing said permanent magnet and said first ferromagnetic member with said center opening aligned with said center bore of said permanent magnet,   said second part including a second ferromagnetic member in the shape of a disk plate and adapted to be removably engaged with said outer cover where said outer cover extends over the other side of said permanent magnet,   said first and second ferromagnetic members having respective ferromagnetic rods at the center thereof and extending therefrom toward each other through the center bore and meeting each other when said first and second parts are coupled together,   said permanent magnet having a funnel-shaped portion having an opening extending from said center bore and diverging outwardly to said other side of said permanent magnet, the remainder of said other side being a peripheral flat portion extending radially outwardly from the outer periphery of said outwrdly diverging opening to the peripheral edge of said magnet, said outer cover conforming to and lying immediately over said funnel-shaped portion and said peripheral flat portion, the end of said ferromagnetic rod on said second ferromagnetic member having a size and shape for, when it engages said outer cover over said peripheral flat portion when said parts are being brought into engagement, being attracted to said peripheral flat portion, and when it is moved relative to said outer cover over said peripheral flat portion, being attracted toward said center opening and downwardly along said outer cover over said funnel-shaped portion to bring said ferromagnetic rod on said second ferromagnetic member into said center bore and into contact with said ferromagnetic rod on said first ferromagnetic member and with said second ferromagnetic member against said peripheral flat portion.